India will reach an “optimal solution” to its pollution problem with the introduction of Bharat Stage-VI (BS-VI) vehicles in 2020, Roland Folger, managing director and CEO of Mercedes Benz India, says in an interview Edited excerpts:

With the the government deciding to advance adoption of BS-VI fuel in Delhi NCT to April 1, 2018, the German luxury carmaker also said it is prepared to launch BS-VI products ahead of the original schedule.

The company has decided to pass on the GST benefits of 2.5% to the consumers before the implementation date, thereby bringing down the overall price by vehicle by another Rs 1.44 lakh to bring down the effective price to Rs 55.7 lakh.

Mercedes Benz may introduce BS VI vehicles by next year. Toyota Kirloskar's Camry hybrid sedan already meets the standard in large part and the company is considering the introduction of another such model, possibly the Corolla, this year.

Mercedes Benz India managing director Roland Folger said 2016 has been the toughest year for the luxury car industry in a while. He thinks it would be unrealistic to hope that last year’s numbers can be achieved.

However, the sentiment is temporary and should improve by December, Folger said, adding that the scarcity of cash would not impact sales as the luxury car business does not depend on cash transactions.

Over a dozen petrol-driven models have been introduced in the last six months and another six or so are set to debut with manufacturers girding themselves up for possible return of a ban imposed earlier this year in the capital and elsewhere on big diesel engines.

Dheeraj Hinduja, chairman at India’s second largest truck maker Ashok Leyland, prefers a low profile, but with managing director Vinod Dasari leaving at the end of the month, he says he’s become more “hands-on”.